PSC opens 2001 season on spring trip

Mar 14, 2001

PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Led by a pair of
record-breaking scorers and a head coach back for his second
season, the Plymouth State College men's lacrosse is prepared for
another strong and exciting season in 2001.

The Panthers open the campaign with a trip into lacrosse
territory along the middle Atlantic states. PSC will battle Richard
Stockton College in Pomona, N.J., in an annual affair next Monday
(Mar. 19) in the opener, then return to New England to face Colby
College next Thursday (Mar. 22) under the lights (7:30 p.m.) at
Harvard University.

Head Coach Nate Ostis will be patrolling the
sidelines for his second season. He has a solid combination of
veterans and newcomers gearing up for the campaign in what will be
a new conference for the Panthers. Ostis welcomes back offensive
record-breaking seniors Jim Martocchio (Simsbury,
Conn.) and JP Sallese (Beverly, Mass.).

The switch from the Pilgrim League to the Little East Conference
has little change to the Panthers' schedule, but it does impact the
program as PSC attempts to qualify for the NCAA Division III
tournament. As a first-year conference in the sport of men's
lacrosse, the Little East champion will not yet be eligible to be
awarded an NCAA automatic bid until the 2002 season. Thus, the
Panthers must qualify for this year's NCAA tournament on an
at-large basis.

"From year to year our goals remain very much the same." said
Ostis. "Ultimately, we want to reach the playoffs and come home
with a conference championship and bid to the NCAA tournament."
2001 P.S.C. Men's Lacrosse Outlook

The Panthers, who captured Pilgrim League post-season berths the
last three seasons, return 15 veterans with a dozen talented
newcomers. PSC finished with a 10-6 overall record in 2000 with a
6-1 league mark, losing to Springfield in the conference tournament
semi-finals.

"Offensively, we're loaded with firepower," said Ostis. "Our
goaltending is very strong, and despite our defense being
inexperienced, they are a surprisingly stable unit that allow
themselves to be students of the game. The entire program is
confident heading into this season and we believe we'll be stronger
than last year."

Leading the Panther offense is pre-season All-American attackman
Martocchio, who is coming off a sensational year in 2000. He scored
100 points, leading the nation with 86 goals, and was named Pilgrim
League Player of the Year. Martocchio has 196 career goals and owns
every PSC goal scoring record and is looking for a dynamic senior
season.

Martocchio's main set-up man is Sallese, who set the PSC single
season assist mark last season with 54. He has scored 60 career
goals and 94 assists, and needs 56 assists to match the PSC
all-time assist record.

The Panthers return a strong core of midfield players including
senior Tony Bosco (Derry, N.H.) and junior
Andy Quesnel (Middlebury, Vt.). Bosco and Quesnel
combine their defensive forces with offensive finesse. Look for
additional offense from a pair of sophomore midfielders
Jason Biedrzycki (Amherst, N.H.) and Ken
McGuire (Wayland, Mass.). This duo made a powerful
presence and great contributions during their freshman campaigns.

Leading the defense from inside the goal is junior tri-captain
Jon Clark (Yarmouth, Maine), who was named
All-Pilgrim League in 2000. Clark has razor sharp instincts when
shot at in tight and a laser outlet pass that creates an exciting
fast break game. He posted an 11.97 goals against average with an
impressive .630 saves percentage.

At Clark's side anchoring the defense is PSC's best body-to-body
defender, senior tri-captain Brian White
(Guilford, Conn.) and senior Sean Clancy
(Penfield, N.Y.). Joining them this year is newcomer Mike
Bicchieri (Londonderry, N.H.). Although the squad has
limited experience together, all three have good size, strength,
and knowledge of the game.

"This is a solid group of individuals," said Ostis. "We have a
lot of respect for the game and for one another, and these guys are
only willing to strive for the best. This is going to be an
exciting season."